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The family of a missing 15-year-old Grass Valley girl is asking for help in convincing her to come home.

Jonica Smith was last seen by her mother on Jan. 17 after she briefly returned home and then left with her mom’s Chiweenie puppy.

Smith’s mother, Debbie Prochaska, said the girl has initially run away Jan. 1. About two weeks later, she saw her on the street and called Grass Valley Police, but officers were unable to respond in time.

“She’s at risk,” Prochaska said, adding that Smith reportedly has been spending time with an 18-year-old man and taking drugs. “She’s been missing school.”

Friends have told Prochaska that Smith has been squatting or staying in a trailer in the Smartsville area.

Smith is a habitual runaway, said Grass Valley Police Sgt. Joe Matteoni, noting that seven such reports had been filed in the last two months.